First bloom on my Propetalum Mathina

[camille1585]

Propetalum Mathina is a cross between Zygopetalum maculatum and Promenaea xanthina. I got it back in June 2009 as a large seedling (for free, everyone who went to the show got one), and it certainly is a vigourous grower! I had to repot it to a bigger pot 3 times (the show organisers handed them out from a plugtray and now it's in a 12cm pot) since then to accomodate the massive root system that came with the huge flush of growth. It probably will need yet another larger pot this spring.

This is another one of my orchids which had to stay behind in France, it just recently bloomed and my sister took care of the pics for me. The lip isn't completely unfurled yet, but it's a slightly paler yellow also with red spotting. I've added a photo I took of an adult blooming plant at the show when I got it so you can see the lip. The spotting on mine is larger and darker, and the petals are turned back a bit so they seem more rounded.

[Jennyfleur]

Lovely It's a shame you can't appreciate it first hand - hope your sister is admiring it double to make up for your absence!

[camille1585]

I wanted to bring it back here with me when I went home for the holidays, but I was too afraid that the buds (there were originally 2) would blast and then no one would get to appreciate it.

[RosieC]

It's gorgeous Camille, what wonderful colour. I can see from the adult plant how the lip is remenisent of a Zygo.

[Zoi2]

I agree, it's gorgeous. This just may make my wish list. Are you growing it like a zygo?
Joann

[camille1585]

I don't have Zygos so don't know how those are grown, but I keep mine under lights most of the year or outside in the summer in dappled shade. It needs a lot of water or else the bulbs wrinkle, so I keep it very moist during the growing season,,and somewhat dryer during the winter.

[Zoi2]

Thanks!
I'll be on the look out for this one.
Joann

[smweaver]

That's a wild combination of colors, and the flowers are certainly very attractive, Camille. Do you know if it inherited any scent from the Zygo. maculatum parent?

Steve

[camille1585]

For now it seems that the answer is NO (since my sister didn't mention it), but since the flower only started opening a few days ago it may take time to develop. I'll have to ask her to stick her nose a bit closer to tell me!

[Paul]

Excellant!